The present invention relates to the field of steering control systems for boats, watercrafts or the like.
These systems comprise a steering member, such as for example a steering wheel or helm, whose rotation causes the corresponding rotation of a drive shaft of a control pulse or signal generating device which is typically housed in a case from which said drive shaft protrudes and that by means of a transmission circuit, transmits the generated pulses or signals corresponding to the rotational motion of the shaft to an actuator, associated with the motor and/or rudder or other units that change the direction of a watercraft.
In hydraulic systems, the rotation of the drive shaft causes a displacement of a pressurized fluid, in one direction or in the opposite direction, depending on the rotation of the steering wheel and which fluid is supplied to a hydraulic cylinder through a hydraulic circuit.
The pressurized fluid is supplied by a system of distributor valves to each one of the two ports respectively of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder that, therefore, moves along a rod, kept stationary between two fixed points connected to its ends, in a direction or in the opposite direction depending on the rotational direction of the drive shaft of the pump. The cylinder is in turn connected by means of linkages to a steering arm, for example of a marine outboard motor or to a control lever of a rudder.
In mechanical systems, the pump is replaced by rotary or rectilinear mechanical steering systems which move one or two steel cables, which is/are connected by linkages to a steering control element, which is moved in one or the other opposite direction depending on the direction of rotation of the drive shaft of the steering systems.
In electric/electronic systems the rotation of the drive shaft is read by electromechanical, electronic, magnetic, optical transducers or by combinations of such transducers which generate electromagnetic or possibly also optical signals uniquely related to the angle position and the direction of rotation of the drive shaft.
An electronic control unit manages communications among the several components of the watercraft through communication lines, with a predetermined protocol for coding and transmitting signals, such as for example bus called as CAN-BUS, and interprets and recognizes the signals of the several control members while generating in turn signals operating relevant actuators connected to the members to be controlled, specifically a rudder or an outboard motor.
Electromechanical systems are in the middle between electric and mechanical systems since provide the steering to be always of the mechanical type, that is by tie rods, but using servomechanisms to limit the effort exerted by the user.
Whatever system is used, the components transmitting the motion of the drive shaft are generally housed in a cabinet or compartment placed under the bridge. The control signal or pulse generating device can be arranged with its case at least partially embedded in the bridge or completely embedded in the compartment of the bridge, with the shaft protruding out therefrom for the connection to the wheel.
In known systems, the shaft has a precise inclination with respect to the surface of the bridge such that driving is made comfortable.
However there is the need of changing the tilt angle of the wheel depending on driving characteristics. To this end solutions have been suggested that use a universal joint coupling the hub of the steering wheel or helm to the drive shaft according to variable directions thus realizing the so called tilt of the steering wheel or helm.
Therefore the joint of known solutions is interposed between the drive shaft and the steering wheel and it causes not only the distance between the steering wheel and the bridge to be extended, since the universal joint is a kind of extension of the drive shaft, but it also generates, due to the possibility of tilting the output axis and the input axis with each other, elbows that make uncomfortable to turn the wheel, since the hub of the steering wheel is not more centered with the drive shaft and since the axis of the hub of the steering wheel and the one of the shaft are not more aligned with each other.
Moreover such solutions although accomplishing their functions even if with the above mentioned restrictions have also the drawback of requiring an additional component (the universal joint) to be fitted on the dashboard between the drive shaft and the steering wheel with the case of the transmission member completely arranged underneath the bridge. This leads to considerable encumbrance both on the part above the bridge, due to the presence of the universal joint, and also under the bridge where the case of the transmission member is completely housed.
A solution of this type is described in document
One embodiment describes a partially spherical case tapering towards the output end of the shaft supported therein. A mounting seat is fastened to a wall of a bridge at a through hole. The seat is spherical inside and it is composed of two substantially hemispherical parts of which one protrudes from the rear side of the bridge and the other one on the contrary protrudes from the front side. The spherical case is housed in the spherical seat in a manner oscillating about an axis substantially horizontal and parallel to the transverse axis of the boat. The axis is placed at a diameter of the spherical part that therefore also protrudes from the rear side of the bridge wall.
The document
A solution similar to the one of document
Therefore the aim of the present invention is to provide a watercraft steering control device for tiltable control members, that is simple, cheap and with reduced encumbrance and that overcomes above drawbacks of known devices.
The invention achieves the aim by a watercraft steering control device as described hereinbefore wherein the assembly of drive shaft and control signal or pulse generating device is mounted so as to tilt about at least one axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft and/or parallel to the bridge by means of at least a pair of coaxial and diametrically opposite tilting pivots between said assembly and a structural element of the bridge where said assembly is housed into a case (3) from which said drive shaft protrudes, said case being tiltable together with said assembly, providing also the case housing the drive shaft and control signal or pulse generating device assembly to be tiltable together with said drive shaft and control signal or pulse generating device assembly, the at least two tilting pivots diametrically opposite with each other being provided between said case and said structural element of the bridgeand the said tilt axis is provided in the region of a rear end portion of the rear half of the case, that is the half of the case opposite to the one on the side of the drive shaft and/or the said tilt axis is provided in such a position with respect to the rear side of the case or of said assembly that the rear end of the case or of said assembly protrudes into the opening of the bridge such that the regions of connection of the transmission circuit or of the transmission elements remain inside the space of the bridge in any tilt positions and/or in the two limit tilt positions on the contrary, members, accesses or entrances to the control device are made accessible from the outside of the bridge such to allow controls and/or replacements/repairs.
In order to extend the function of the tilt of the steering wheel also to devices generating control signals or pulses already existing or produced according to specifications or designs already present, the invention provides an additional tilt member connectable on demand to the case of the drive shaft and control pulse or signal generating device assembly which tilt member comprises a part intended to be fastened to said case and a part intended to be fastened to a structural element of the bridge, between said two parts two relative pivot points being provided in a position diametrically opposite and coaxial with each other.
The tilt member comprises a first stationary part intended to be fastened to the bridge of the boat, at an opening housing the case of the assembly of drive shaft and control pulse or signal generating device and a second movable part integral, by being fastened or made as a single piece with the case of the assembly of drive shaft and control pulse or signal generating device, said two parts being articulated with each other such to define a tilt axis for the case with respect to the bridge that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.
A further variant can provide that a part of the tilt is performed by the case together with the drive shaft and with the device generating control pulses or signals and part only by the drive shaft and by the device generating control pulses or signals.
Constructional specifications of tilting pivots can be any and are part of the opportunity choices made by the person skilled in art, in order to meet contingent structural needs and shape needs, within the alternative technical solutions that belong to his/her basic technical knowledge.
Thus for example the case housing the assembly composed of the drive shaft and the device generating control pulses or signals can have in diametrically opposite points thereof seats fastening two spindles radially protruding out from said case to a predetermined extent and arranged coaxial and diametrically opposite with each other, which spindles are rotationally engaged in support seats fastened to a structural element of the bridge, such as for example the inner side of the wall of the bridge intended to receive said assembly.
Advantageously when at least only one tilt axis is provided said axis is oriented in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the boat or to the straight forward direction such to allow the steering wheel to be tilted forwards and backwards that in case of an inclined bridge provides also a vertical movement component of the steering wheel.
Advantageously in all the possible variants a position locking mechanism is provided, which can be manually activated or deactivated, such as for example a brake or axial pins or teeth cooperating with corresponding engagement seats or crowns of engagement seats coaxial to the tilt axis and one being provided on the part fastened to the structural element of the bridge and the other one on the assembly of drive shaft and control pulse or signal generating device, or on the case of such assembly or on the part intended to be fastened to said case.
Particularly one embodiment provides at one of the two diametrically opposite pivot regions two crowns of front teeth opposite to each other and coaxial to the tilt axis and which crowns are movable by means of screw clamping means in an interference position or in a non-interference position, thus stopping or releasing the tilt.
Still according to a further characteristic said oscillation axis, namely said tilt axis is provided in the area of the rear half of the case, that is the half of the case opposite to the one on the side of the drive shaft.
Still according to a further characteristic the tilt axis is provided in the region of a rear end portion of said rear half of the case.
According to a characteristic, said tilt/oscillation pivots are placed at the lower end, namely at the end opposite to the one coupling the steering wheel or helm to the shaft.
One embodiment provides said tilt/oscillation pivots, namely the tilt axis defined thereby to be placed in an end strip of the assembly of drive shaft and control pulse or signal generating device having an axial extension from said lower end that at most is equal to 40% of the overall axial extension of said lower end to the end of the shaft to which the steering wheel or helm is coupled.
Particularly said oscillation or tilt axis is provided in an end strip of the case comprised between the lower end thereof, namely the end opposite to the one of the shaft and an axial length equal at most to 40% of the overall axial length of said lower end of the case to said end of the shaft. Preferably said end strip has an axial length equal to 30% of said overall axial length.
A further variant provides said oscillation or tilt axis to be provided in an end strip of the case comprised between the lower end thereof, namely the end opposite to the one of the shaft and an axial length equal at most to 40% of the overall axial length of the case from said lower end of the case to the opposite end of the case from which the shaft protrudes. Preferably said end strip has an axial length equal to 30% of the overall axial length of the case from said lower end of the case to the opposite end of the case from which the shaft protrudes.
In a preferred embodiment the tilt axis is provided in such a position with respect to the rear side of the case, that the rear end of the case protrudes inside the opening of the bridge such that, the connection regions of the transmission circuit or transmission elements are inside the compartment of the bridge in any tilt position.
As an alternative it is also possible that in the two limit tilt positions on the contrary access windows, filling ports or members adjusting the steering system can be made as accessible from the outside of the bridge, such to allow controls and/or replacements/repairs.
Advantageously the assembly composed of the drive shaft, the control pulse or signal generating device and the case are coupled with each other such that the change in the tilt of the shaft by a given angle causes a change in the contemporaneous tilt of the control pulse or signal generating device by the same angle with a corresponding change in the tilt of the case with respect to the surface of the bridge or other reference direction.
In the variant where the tilt axis is provided in the position displaced towards the rear end of the case, it is possible to considerably reduce encumbrance. The tilt mechanism is in practice integrated with said case making the latter movable such to follow the inclination of the drive shaft set by the tilt of the steering wheel or helm directly connected to the shaft.
Making all said assembly and particularly the drive shaft as tiltable, the latter remains coaxial to the wheel hub directly fastened thereto therefore drawbacks and inconveniences that are typical of the universal joint described above are overcome.
Moreover the advantages are not only from a functional point of view, but the steering control device is very compact and with a limited encumbrance both above the bridge and inside it regardless of the type of mechanisms used for converting in a steering input the rotational motion of the steering wheel or helm connected to the device.
When the device is mounted on the bridge of a boat, the case of the transmission member is variously housed in said bridge depending on the tilt angle due to the fact that it correspondingly changes its inclination.
Still according to a further embodiment, the device provides a first stationary element like a frame, preferably with annular shape, which first element is intended to be fastened at an opening with a corresponding shape formed in the upper wall of a bridge,
and said frame-like stationary element is provided with through holes in diametrically opposite positions, preferably according to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the boat.
In its smallest variant the stationary element associated to the assembly composed of the case of the transmission member, the transmission member and the shaft is composed of at least two opposite and coaxial seats engaging pins protruding out from diametrically opposite sides of the case, which pins are intended to form the tilt axes and pass each one in a corresponding hole provided in the stationary element fastened to the bridge, while there are provided removably locking means allowing the assembly to be locked in a predetermined tilt position and to unlock the assembly as regards its oscillation about the axis of said pins to change the tilt of the drive shaft.
Several alternative variants are possible. The two pins or at least one of the two pins is made as one piece with the assembly like a projection integral thereto.
Seats of the two pins or at least one seat of the two pins are provided on a second element coupling to the case.
In one embodiment said second element coupling to the case is provided like a coupling frame or ring mountable and fastenable to the case of the control device in a stable or removable manner.
Also in the case of said variants providing a second element fastened or fastenable to the case, variants are possible in which:
Said second element has at least one pin that is integral with said second coupling element and at least one through hole engaging a second pin, or two through holes each one for one of the two pins.
In all said variants it is possible to provide a member locking/releasing the oscillation.
According to a first embodiment said member is composed of a clamping nut screw tightening on the thread of one of the two pins by clamping the external element against the internal element.
Advantageously the region surrounding the hole for the passage of at least one pin and on the first element and the region surrounding the pin on the second element there are provided facing crowns of front teeth that operate by engaging with each other upon the locking clamping action.
According to a variant, the front teeth are provided on a locking spacer like a thick washer or bushing that is fitted on at least one pin in a position interposed between the case or the second element and the first stationary element and which bushing or washer has at least on the side facing said first element the crown of front teeth intended to cooperate with that of said first element.
The clamping nut screw can be advantageously made with a hole engaging the pin of the eccentric type like a handle.
According to another aspect the invention relates to a steering control system for boats, watercrafts or the like comprising a tiltable steering member, such as for example a steering wheel or helm, whose rotation causes the corresponding rotation of a drive shaft of a device according to the invention, which device transmits a steering input to a steering control element, such as a marine outboard motor or a control lever of a rudder, through a transmission circuit, said system being made according to one or more of the characteristics and variants described above.
The invention relates also to a kit comprising a steering control device with a drive shaft fastened to a steering wheel or the like, a steering control pulse or signal generating device driven by said shaft and a housing case holding said elements, and a tilt member comprising two elements pivoted with each other according to a predetermined tilt axis which two elements are fastenable one to said case and the other one to a structural element of the bridge.
Further characteristics and improvements are the subject matter of the subclaims.
Characteristics of the invention and advantages deriving therefrom will be more clear from the following detailed description of the annexed drawings wherein:
Figures show the invention with reference only to the embodiment of a steering control device of the hydraulic type and composed of an axial piston pump supplying pressurized oil to the chambers of an actuating cylinder correspondingly to the direction of rotation and to the rotation angle of the steering wheel and therefore of the drive shaft. However such choice is not be intended as a limitation, since with clear adjustments the inventive idea can be transferred without any inventive steps also to steering systems having other types of control members such as those described hereinbefore in the present description and that is mechanical, electromechanical, electrohydraulic and electronic, namely of the so called Steer by Wire type.
Moreover the shown embodiment provides a control device with an axial piston pump of the conventional type and which is provided in combination with a tilt member applicable to the case of said pump or the distributor valve integrated within said pump. Such embodiment is the most complex, since the tilt member is a tool applicable on demand and it has not to be considered as a limitation for the present invention. As described hereinbefore, the case can be integrated with means for the oscillating fastening to the bridge that can be made according to different variants that are all part of the technical basic knowledge of the person skilled in the art and whose specific selection falls within the range of normal opportunity choices that the person skilled in the art has to perform in the designing phase.
With reference to figures, the device according to the invention is provided in combination with a steering control device comprising a drive shaft 1 of a pump, whose rotor 2 is housed in a case 3 closed at the bottom by a base of the pump element 103 shaped like a flange for fastening to a valve body 4.
The pump is known and it can be of any type and an example of such pump provides a rotor having a plurality of axial compression chambers, which axial chambers surround the drive shaft. A piston is axially slidably housed in each chamber and biased by elastic means with one end projecting out of one end side of the corresponding compression chamber against a cam track consisting of an annular plate inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor such as for example described in the patent application
The steering control device is mounted in a bridge, partially or completely embedded in a compartment underneath the panel of the bridge.
An inner annular element 5 surrounds the periphery of the valve body 4 in a substantially median position. Such element 5 has a cylindrical shape and has a pair of holes 105 on diametrically opposite walls.
Such inner annular element 5 is provided to be fitted inside an outer annular element 6 having corresponding diametral holes 106 intended to receive a pair of pins. Such pins allow the two elements 5 and 6 to be articulated according to a diametral axis and therefore to pivot one with respect to each other relative to a median, axial transverse plane.
The outer annular element 6 is provided to be mounted on the bridge or on the dashboard of a boat at an opening provided in one of the walls of said bridge or said dashboard. Said opening is intended to house the rear part of the assembly composed of the valve 4 and that has a shape corresponding to the first annular element. This annular element 6 is like a frame and has a substantially cylindrical shape with conical flares 206 on the walls to allow the inner annular element to tilt more. Flares are provided to house the lower part of the valve body 4 in its interference position with the inner ring 5 tilted to a maximum extent.
Between the outer annular element 6 and the inner annular element 5 a clamping element 7 is interposed allowing the two annular elements to be releasably locked between a maximum negative tilt position and a maximum positive tilt position.
Such as shown in
It is clear that as the encumbrance of the part under the axis of rotation of the annular element is smaller, the higher is the tilt achievable by the device. To this end the inner annular element 5 is advantageously fastened in proximity of the lower part of the device.
As already mentioned above, the tilt axis defined by the elements 5 and 6, extends diametrically with respect to the axis of the shaft and it intersects the axis coinciding with the axis of the shaft, that is the longitudinal axis of the case 3 and of the shaft 1 and rotor 3 assembly in a point in the lower half of the overall longitudinal extension of the assembly 3 and 4 or of the assembly 1, 3, 4.
As it is clear from
The shown embodiment provides the specific case where said oscillation or tilt axis is provided in an end strip of the case comprised between the lower end thereof, that is the end opposite to that of the shaft and an axial length equal, at most, to 40% of the axial length of the case 3, 4 from said lower end of the case to the opposite end of the case from which the shaft 1 protrudes. Preferably said end strip has an axial length equal to 30% of said axial length of the case from said lower end of the case to the opposite end of the case from which the shaft protrudes.
Different variants can be obtained by the described example by simply moving upwards the oscillation/tilt axis of the two annular elements, for example by clamping the inner annular element 5 to the body of the pump 3 above the valve assembly if it is necessary to reduce the encumbrance on the bridge to detriment of a smaller tilt angle.
It has to be noted also how advantageously the annular element 6 fastened to the bridge can be slightly elongated according to an axis perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and to the tilt axis. This allows, together with conical flares on the inner edges and curved portions facing the case in the oscillation direction, more empty space to be provided to increase tilt.
There are different possible variants that partially depend on the structure of the cases of the assemblies of drive shaft, device generating control pulses or signals and the case.
As already described hereinbefore the second annular element 5 can be omitted and the case or the valve 4, depending on the choice and on the type of transmission member, can directly bear the pins 105, 207 that can be as one piece or that can be fastenable for example by being tightened in threaded holes provided in a predetermined position on the body of the case and/or of the valve 4.
Also the position locking means can be selected among a considerable number of variants that are part of the technical basic knowledge of the person skilled in the art.
Still according to an optional but advantageous improvement at least the annular element 6 associated with the bridge can have ribs, grooves, projections or fastening seats for one end of an elastic covering dome like a sleeve or the like.
The other end can be fastened to the annular element 6 associated to the case of the control device to means coupling/fastening said elastic dome or said sleeve provided in other points of the case.
The device shown in the figures described until now is of the hydraulic type that is with pump transmission member. It is clear how the teaching of the present invention can be extended to any type of steering system. The idea at the base of the invention is to cause the drive shaft and together the device generating control pulses or control signals, that is the whole steering control device to rigidly tilt together with the drive shaft, to allow the user to tilt the steering wheel or helm without putting out of alignment or without misaligning with each other the steering wheel and the drive shaft and this sets aside from the type of means used to convert the rotational motion of the steering drive shaft into signals or pulses activating the steering actuator.
To this end other embodiments are possible, not shown in the figures, that provide to use steering systems comprising a mechanical, rotary or rectilinear steering system wherein the rotation of the drive shaft causes the translation of at least one steel cable to drive a mechanical actuator or electromechanical sensors, such as potentiometers, variable capacitors or Hall effect devices, that generate electric signals uniquely associated to the angle position of the same shaft for operating an electric motor actuator, or a electrohydraulic system where the signals generated by the steering wheel through the steering control device are converted into actions supplying pressurized fluid generated by a motorized pump to the chambers of an hydraulic actuator, or combinations thereof, such as for example the servoassisted systems described in the patent application
All the above without departing from the information principle disclosed above and claimed below.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.